Congratulations on landing the opportunity to study in your dream school. The bone of contention is where you will stay because the school is probably far from home. In this case, your options might be limited. What are the available options for international student housing tips?
We have compiled a list of ideas from former students to guide you in determining the ideal place to stay while pursuing your studies abroad. We have also highlighted some factors to consider before settling on the available options.
Guide for Finding Student Accommodation
How do international students find housing? If you are moving to a town you have never lived in, you ought to be wary of your security and the convenient accommodation options available. However, before settling on one, you should put these tips into practice:
1. Research Online
Carrying out extensive research is fundamental in helping you determine what to expect from the neighbourhood. Factors such as security are significant in deciding your accommodation options.
You should also research the proximity of amenities from where you will be staying. Google Maps provides this information and more. You will also learn more about the transportation network to consider while getting to school and how much time you will spend commuting.
Groups on Social Media
Groups on social media provide adequate and reliable information about university accommodation for students. You could join groups on platforms such as Facebook and post your questions there. Information obtained from these platforms could help you determine preferred neighbourhoods, how to get there, safety tips and expected rent.
Groups on social media could also help you get a roommate.
2. Prepare Documents
Renting an apartment can be tricky in cities where off-campus housing is limited. Some landlords might be too demanding and strict with the terms and documents they want to be presented during the process. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure you have the pre-requisite documents ready to increase your chances of being considered.
These are some of the documents they might ask you to present:
A credit report to determine your creditworthiness
Pay stubs to verify your annual income is 35–40 times the annual rent
Your admission letter
A copy of your passport
A copy of your bank statements
A copy of your previous tax returns from your home country
Proof that you can cover your rent for the term of the lease
3. Start Early
One thing that can help you secure the best apartment faster is starting the house-hunting process early enough. It gives you a head start over other students looking for apartments around the time when the college reopens.
If you are uncomfortable about travelling to the institution's location, you could opt for websites that provide information on the available options.
Starting the process early also gives you ample time to look for a roommate. It also gives you enough time to decipher the terms of the lease agreement before committing yourself.
4. Scam Alert
Looking for a play to stay online can be risky. Therefore, you ought to be wary of scammers who might be on the hunt for your money. However, a website for finding homestays like Craigslist is helpful. Nonetheless, scammers have sipped their way into the site and devised ways to make money from unsuspecting clients. Therefore, you should watch out for those.
Where Can International Students Live?
Do international students get accommodation? Yes, they do. Depending on their budget, there are several options you could consider. These are the housing options any international student could consider:
1. Buying an Apartment
This is the least viable option for anyone to pursue. Purchasing an apartment can be expensive. In most cases, it might require you to pay upfront since getting a mortgage as an international student is not easy.
2. Renting an Apartment
Where do international students live during breaks? Renting an apartment is a viable option for an international student who wants accommodation during breaks. However, it requires a co-signer or a huge deposit. In other cases, you might be required to pay broker fees, depending on how you found the apartment.
3. Sublet an Apartment
Opting for a sublet apartment is cheaper than renting an apartment. It is also a viable off-campus accommodation option. It is a more straightforward process since it involves taking over someone else's lease or leasing from someone already renting the apartment.
This option requires you to pay a relatively cheaper deposit upfront. It is ideal for short-term stays.
4. Roommates
If renting an entire apartment is too expensive for you, consider getting a roommate. This is the cheapest option for international students. In most cases, multiple students share the same room.
In this case, the rent is usually reasonable.
5. Living on Campus
Staying in halls of residence on campus can be a great way to get the most out of your university experience. Apart from the convenience of being near teaching rooms, it encourages students to socialize more often and participate in campus activities and groups.
Some halls of residence can often come with meal plans as part of the cost. You may be entitled to breakfast and dinner, or even every meal, as part of the fee you pay for your room.
It is important to note that campus accommodation often has you living in a dorm room with other students. However, in other institutions, most students have their room but may share facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens.
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